My First Impressions of El Salvador 😱🇸🇻 (spoiler: I love it here)

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I flew to El Salvador from Panama City and it is my first time in the country! I'm going to be here for the next 2-3 weeks but in the vlog, I take you through my first 24 hours. I got an Uber from the airport to El Zonte and then rented a scooter to get to my hostel. For my first few days, I stayed at Lagarza Hostel.
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ABOUT ME🙋🏻‍♀️
I'm Christianne, a solo traveller, vlogger and entrepeneur from Surrey, UK. I spend half my time exploring new places around the globe with my backpack, and the other half creating videos about my experiences, what I'm packing, solo travel advice, money budgeting tips and anything else in relation to my backpacking lifestyle.
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[@kellymartinez6671]

I was one of the girls who welcomed you at Lagarza hostal! I didn’t know you were famous lol !!! I’m so happy to watch the videos about My lovely El Salvador !!!!

[@Riveera718]

A question. Do all the staff at LaGarza Hostal speak English? . Several co-workers want to go on vacation to El Salvador, and I want to recommend that beautiful place.

[@kellymartinez6671]

@@Riveera718 yes most all the people speak English specially in LA LIBERTAD!!!! Where the beach it’s located !!!! Your co-workers should go pretty sure they will have fun

[@titonothere6179]

@@Riveera718 English is being pushed to learn more now then ever bc of the wave of tourists

[@marcovasquez4523]

La Garza it’s such a great place everyone is friendly! And make you feel among family! I had a great time there with my family! If you surf it’s a nice small spot

[@etainkearsey5479]

I was in El Salvador in December and absolutely fell in love. I actually stayed at a few of the same hostels! Nicest people I’ve ever come across

[@manuelpinzon9854]

You are sick, Salvador is very bad and full of Gang Members.

[@Trancymind]

What most americans living in USA don't know is that salvadoreans love american people, american culture and the english language. When USA entered WW2, El Salvador also entered WW2 on USA side on the same day. El Salvador wanted to be annexed by USA in 1822 and 1865 and even the salvadorean flag looked like USAs flag for so many years before 1865-1910's. We are not even close on what your neighbor mexicans treatment towards americans who have resentment to this day.

[@Rick_snchz805]

Makes me happy.

[@Rick_snchz805]

You’re awesome

[@titonothere6179]

In Dec? That’s the best time

[@brigithrivas40]

I'm Salvadorean, living in California. Been watching your videos for several months. It's great to see you visited El Salvador ❤👍🏼📸

[@BackpackingBananas]

Oh cool, thanks so much I’m glad you like them 😊

[@nataliehargrave2605]

I find it SO helpful seeing you problem solve on the fly with the scooter sitch. I’m doing the WHV in Aus this year and it’s giving me hope that I’ll able to get by when things aren’t straightforward!

[@juanconde5199]

You have such a great attitude and joy that is infectious. I love it! I'll be in El Salvador in June and can't wait. Hope you enjoyed your stay there. 😊

[@lheurebleue5025]

We were at El Salvador at the same time and didn't have the chance to see you... so sad. But I had the same reaction than you. Loved there, the people is so niceee and welcoming. I will go back to explore more defenetly. Thanks for sharing your experience you are a great inspiration for me :)

[@leslieitstoolongtotype4088]

That is expensive for pupusas. But I guess you were in a busy, tourist area. The small towns and highway vendors sell them for a quarter to fifty cents each!

[@edwinguzman6430]

Happy to have you in our country, hope you come back soon “ Bien venida a “El Salvador “

[@abigailfezer177]

El Salvador is my favorite country! Something to remember, pupusas are eaten with your hands, the most common and traditional flavor is beans and cheese, and they taste better with curtido and salsa! ❤

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks! I wanted to eat with my hands but they were so damn hot! 😅😅

[@ronalburgos3855]

I was born in El Salvador and yes pupusas with a fork lol 😂 that’s no no ! fyi love the accent “lovely” 😎

[@angelcitygirl]

Knife and fork is fine. Food is food. Enjoy. :)

[@joshuaescalante1791]

@@angelcitygirl …. I agree. As a Salvadorean it’s easy for me to eat pupusas with my hands, as a tradition. But, I also eat them with fork and knife. Heck, they taste the same. 👍

[@angelcitygirl]

@@joshuaescalante1791 I just came back from Salvi in May, my fifth time. Pupusas can be enjoyed as you like. Con loroco preferably. Go Guanacos!

[@VladimirHidalgo]

thank you for visiting El Salvador!

[@janehughes581]

We are currently in El Salvador! We like it. Different place to you as we chose to go to Santa Ana and climb a volcano.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Nice! That is where the vlogs next few vlogs go 🫣

[@linnea9017]

The look when she tried to close the suitcase. 🤣 This looks absolutely lovely. ☺

[@fred4987]

Scooters that’s a whole motorcycle 😅. Awesome vlog.

[@morgan3llis001]

its so funny to say "you have to try pupusas in el salvador" as if youre not going to be eating them for at least half your meals whether you like it or not ahah. i looooved el salvador though-- hope you spend sometime near the lake and el zonte!

[@jaimykersten1325]

Amazing :) would love to visit there some day. But i'm way to nervous to go on a solo trip to south amercia. In a few months i go on my first solo trip from my home (the netherlands) to spain and portugal. Hopefully in some time i feel brave enough to go 😅. Really love your videos, lots of love, Jaimy

[@BackpackingBananas]

You got this ❤️💪🏼

[@TheAVFamilia]

❤❤❤ love it, family lives in El Salvador and its such a beautiful country 😊😊😊

[@kbcvisuals]

Don't know much about El Salvador, looks nice people seem real friendly..

[@ashlislade3779]

I’m on my way to El Salvador in a few weeks, CANT wait to see the rest of your vlogs! 😊 I’m staying in LaGarza my first two nights!

[@sabrinadelgado2485]

Ahhh I love how often you post! Very refreshing for KZbin! I hope you’re well and that El Salvador treated you good! I have a question tho… I’ve been binge watching your past videos and I wanted to know why the Pakistan series isn’t posted?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Ah thanks so much 🥰 quite literally because I haven’t had the chance to edit those videos yet 🥲 my editor does these ones but I wanted to edit the Pakistan series myself

[@TheCipotemasloco]

Thank You 🙏🏼 very much for visiting my beautiful country! I hope you had a great time !

[@SamanthaSeltzer]

I was just doing research on central america and rewatched your travel map video last night! I noticed you skipped el salvador last time and was wondering if you’d hit it on this trip. Knew it! Lol So excited to see your solo female perspective because I’m planning on doing the same region alone :)

[@Trancymind]

As of 2023, El Salvador homicide rates are the lowest in either North and South America . Safer than even Canada.

[@SamanthaSeltzer]

As a followup I’m now rewatching THIS vid as I’m currently in El Tunco 😅🥺 oh how the world works

[@davidsalmeron5512]

Hello from Atlanta Georgia USA thanks for visiting my country

[@sebastianlaurenthasbun]

amazing landscapes ✨

[@dunkan42]

Nice Christianne ,It's good that you had a good time in El Salvador👍

[@nataliapinzon3222]

I found the part with you and caitlin so sweet. I felt like I was right there just laughing and eating pupusas with you girls haha. Good vibes all over!!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Aww thank you ❤️ Caitlin really is great vibes!

[@MD_DFO]

Headed there in a few weeks for the first time and cannot wait. My Spanish is terrible but I’ll manage 😂. Love your videos.

[@sunvavachi]

The hostel looked nice. I'm flying down from Canada tomorrow! Is it okay to wear shorts there?

[@Sketchfx]

Hello, I am Salvadoran. I recommend comfortable clothes. We are in the summer season and the heat is stifling. If you can, wear short shorts or whatever makes you feel comfortable. Greetings and welcome to El Slavador.😊

[@sunvavachi]

@@Sketchfx aw thank you! Yes, I didn't want to be disrespectful. :) I am in El Salvador and I am loving it. :D ...so happy to be in your country!

[@Sketchfx]

@@sunvavachi nice welcome!!!🇸🇻

[@Sketchfx]

@@sunvavachi Please document everything. I would like to know how you are doing and to know which places you like the most. I would like to see your adventure in my small country. Unfortunately, you do not upload videos to your channel. It would be very nice. Regards, enjoy your days in this beautiful country.

[@ArtistryOfAdventure]

Nice video. We plan on going there in April. Thanks for sharing your experience. :)

[@KristaWasHere86]

New fan here! Currently addicted to all your travels!

[@ironpandaloco]

Welcome Krista to the banana madness

[@BackpackingBananas]

Welcome! ❤️❤️❤️

[@marlonvasquez6627]

Love this video my wife is from Worcester Im salvadorean she asking for more of your videos from El Salvador she thiks you are brave. Looking forward for your new videos.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Oh cool! There are plenty more videos to come 😎

[@seandesmond5560]

Great vlog wonderful Christie!!! 💖 El Salvador looks like a beautiful place!!!

[@Trancymind]

Did you know El Salvador has lower homicide rates than USA's per 100,000 inhabitants as of 2023? Economic growth was 10% from 2021 to 2022. El Salvador currency is the US dollar and bitcoin and that's it.

[@javiermartinez9629]

I never think my beautiful little cou try should be so famous in the last three years

[@billieayre]

Looks great !! I need to go 😩

[@melvinguevara428]

Welcome to El Salvador 🇸🇻

[@josefelix3835]

Welcome to El Salvador dear ✈️🎒♥️

[@wherestheparty_]

Glorious! Makes me want to follow your trail :D

[@TheFairestMan]

Have fun stay safe.. Lovely weather.. Beach looked nice what bit i saw

[@MillaExplores]

El Salvador seems amazing! 😍

[@ask-mw5hk]

But it’s not

[@carlosdabdoub6027]

@@ask-mw5hk How do you know.

[@ask-mw5hk]

@@carlosdabdoub6027 i know the country

[@carlosdabdoub6027]

@@ask-mw5hk are you Salvadorian, because I’m Salvadorian, and you don’t know what are you talking about, have you ever been to El Salvador ?

[@ask-mw5hk]

@@carlosdabdoub6027 it doesn’t matter if I’m salvadorian facts are facts, I apologize for hurting your feelings!!

[@WalkingVibes4K]

Great vlog El Salvador Is Amazing👌

[@AllyMay]

I’d love to see more of your Pakistan trip if you have any footage you can share! Seeing your friend from the trip reminded me :)

[@billmccaleb7481]

Fun! Always good to see old friends!

[@giax2031]

Is there a different Uber app that you download for Central America?

[@Olivia-zq2wr]

All of the background music in this video just feels like im in the nandos toilets haha

[@ingrispickens9851]

Rental car is the most ship that I found_20 or $26 for 3 weeks. Next time try to find a good deal with them.

[@fa6534]

Imagining Joel and Lia backpacking with Christianne

[@BackpackingBananas]

Im working on it but I don’t think I could ever convince them 😂

[@fa6534]

@@BackpackingBananas absolutely not 😂.

[@deborahjohansen1776]

You are in Panama City but you didn't go see the canal? One of the man made wonders of the world...!! I am disappoited.

[@SamanthaSeltzer]

She’s been before :)

[@salvadormoran9133]

Beautiful video, I love your carisma

[@soshejselbaek]

Hi Christianne - do I spell that right?, I’ve been following your journey and your amazing energy for years! Free human goals by the way. So, I subscribe to Surfshark and I use it to change my ‘virtual’ location when working remotely from various countries - but when you describe using a VPN to “just” protect your device - and your personal data most of all - and you have no particular need to change country or proxy server, which function exactly do you use to just achieve ‘protection’ when not needing a proxy? Hope that question makes sense 😊🔥

[@Alfredosolotravels]

I tried doing bunkbed rooms but I can’t . So I just get private room hostels

[@TedNemeth]

Wow. I can’t believe how expensive that is.

[@buckettraveler8398]

I got mixed up with El Salvador and Ecuador and kept thinking 'Wow, this looks like Ecuador (really El Salvador), and she said it was hot'. Then you mentioned pupusas and knew I was making the mistake. I like pupusas in Guatemala better, it seemed like I got used to them, they're more 'dry' on the outside, and the ones in El Salvador are more 'wet'. They're both good but I noticed a difference.

[@carlabottazzi]

I am already sad for the Latinamerica vlogs to be over! Btw, do you still have the columbia itineraries available? Thanks! :)

[@BackpackingBananas]

You now get the Colombia Itineraries included when you purchase the map legend 😊❤️

[@carlabottazzi]

@@BackpackingBananas perfect, thanks!!

[@andrevezina1]

Beautiful!

[@mauriadonis-th3hs]

Bien. Venida. A. El. Salvador. Desde. UK.

[@jessicaireland1947]

Can you share the location of the restaurant? Looks yummy!

[@OG-bt5tm]

For all you traveler’s wen you eat the pupusas heat them with your fingers they taste 10 times better just saying

[@hikecamptrekk1540]

I would like to share with your subscribers some of my favorites places to visit in El Salvador 🇸🇻

[@Riveera718]

💙🤩

[@katiaemilie8110]

Did you always feel safe in panama city? and el salvador as a female solo backpacker?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yes! Very safe 😊

[@ilamore92]

Ohhh no ! Not eating pupusa with fork and knife lol. The best way to eat is with the bare hands !! 🫶🏼

[@marlonvasquez6627]

What happened since Christmas in El Salvador?

[@BackpackingBananas]

I went to Colorado, then back home and now I’m in Thailand 😊

[@marlonvasquez6627]

Great Thailand I have been there too. Where about? Best food in the world for my like. Peanut Curry must have it. Tom Ka soup Love It! My Wife is looking forward for your videos in El Salvador we where in El Salvador in December. We could have seen you in el Zonte 😂 I hope you went to Zonte Beach or other beaches in the east of El Salvador we where at punta mango amazing beach. Well enjoy Thailand.

[@marlonvasquez6627]

We live in Saudi Arabia so if you ever come this way let us know. We live in al-khobar not very turistic but just in case you will have a place to stay if you want

[@Rick_snchz805]

How are you liking El Salvador ?

[@BackpackingBananas]

I loved it!

[@Rick_snchz805]

@@BackpackingBananas so happy to hear that

[@Cazemms02]

🖤

[@relfluna5310]

❤❤❤

[@ironpandaloco]

El Salvador recognizes Bitcoin as legal tender

[@BackpackingBananas]

What a country 🤑

[@ironpandaloco]

@@BackpackingBananas meet with local MS13s as tourist guides

[@luzcalderon8909]

Why?!? Do you want her to get kidnapoed? Or worse ?!? That’s one of the most vile gangs here in the US

[@superipodmanvik]

@Conrad V block 🚫 this guy for reals

[@drterazkl3633]

🇸🇻 Si eres salvadoreño deberías ver MellyQueen🇸🇻

[@Tips4_Trips]

Super video

[@BackpackingBananas]

❤️

[@ricardopineda2515]

Valiente !;;;

[@armandohernandez4470]

I love. Pupusas 👌👌

[@flowerviolet6331]

Sooooooo beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@malikkhalid6787]

Nice jee video

[@charlieflowers3673]

NOOOOOOOOOOO You don’t eat pupusas with a fork or knife you eat them with your hands 😭😭😭😭

[@BackpackingBananas]

When the papusas are too hot my friend, using my hands is a no-go 😬

[@angi3guerra]

Girl that’s my country and btw it’s Poo-poo-sas ok 😅

[@zacbill2641]

Good place to go on holiday if you want to die young

[@ollysalanson9452]

yay bitcoin!

[@Indonesianexplora]

Bitcoin beach😎👍

[@cryptolife77]

Backpacking, not happy , video far too short , these videos are the equivalent of other people's netflix to me, hoping to see more soon 👹🖖🤓

[@BackpackingBananas]

They can’t all be super long 😅🥲

[@cryptolife77]

@@BackpackingBananas ok ok backpacking, muchos sorries

[@ronaldoago-go5907]

Personally i avoid the long videos i simply don't have time ordinarily...

[@johnwicked9301]

I like this white girl

[@PetroniloPocaspulgas]

IS VERY DISRESPECTFUL TO EAT PUPUSAS WITH A FORK AND A KNIFE. BUT YOU DON'T KNOW BETTER. DISGUSTING BEHAVIOUR.

[@lizzie2301]

Calm down! You typing in all caps is disgusting. I’m planning my birthday trip to El Salvador in April and I’m definitely eating the PAPUSA with a knife and fork!

[@PetroniloPocaspulgas]

@@lizzie2301 I WILL WRITE THE WAY I LIKE AND NO FEMINAZI CAN TELL ME OTHERWISE.

[@PetroniloPocaspulgas]

PAPUSAS HAHAHAHA THESE GRINGOS BUTCHER OUR LANGUAGE. PAPUSAS HAHAHA IS PUPUSAS.

[@FreshAirRules]

If the camera was any closer we'd be viewing your tonsils. There's a reason people hold the camera at arm's length, or, better yet, use selfie sticks. Did you just wake up from a 20 year hibernation? Wide angle lenses (that are used in almost all cameras) are not meant to be used close because they distort the face. Its aggravating to watch this.

[@Alexander838]

💡 Tourist are demanding scooters 🛵 Not a motorcycle at a Random house 💡a place for solo travelers There’s a lot of ways of making money in El Salvador do people not see this things If no one takes advantage of this things I am Being a pioneer is one of the greatest investment for success

[@manuelalvares3334]

Dont use the fork Use your fingers Lady when you eat pupusas